An Epic Five-Day Celebration of Black Music and Culture Leading Up to the 2025 MOBO Awards

Thursday 13th - Monday 17th February

A series of events to celebrate the MOBO Awards coming to the city for the first time

Ahead of the 2025 MOBO Awards on Tuesday 18th February

Full programme to be announced this Friday 17th January - mobo.com/fringe

In the lead-up to the highly anticipated MOBO Awards on Tuesday 18 February, Newcastle will come alive with The MOBO Fringe - a five-day festival of culture, community, and creativity. For the first time, the MOBO Awards, the UK’s premier celebration of Black music and culture, will take place in Newcastle, marking a historic moment for the city and the wider North East region. 

To celebrate this milestone, MOBO and Newcastle City Council, in partnership with Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots and Nrthrn Baby, have curated a dynamic and inclusive programme that will showcase the richness of Black music and culture while creating meaningful opportunities for local talent and communities. Running from Thursday 13 February to Monday 17 February, The Fringe will combine live performances, workshops, industry summits, and community-led initiatives to leave a lasting legacy for the region.

With input from over 50 community and industry representatives, The Fringe aims to inspire young creatives, highlight the exceptional talent in the North East, and build meaningful connections that elevate Newcastle as a hub for creativity and diversity. Highlights include music showcases celebrating Black music, songwriting and DJ workshops, and a schools programme where primary and secondary pupils will have the chance to perform and record a well-known song by a MOBO-recognised artist. 

The Fringe will open with a celebration of local Black-owned businesses and performances by North East artists at The Glasshouse on Thursday 13 February. Throughout the five days, key venues such as The Grove, World Headquarters, and The Glasshouse will host events in collaboration with partners like BBC Introducing NE, showcasing the best of Black music and culture in the region. The festival will conclude with a special MOBO UnSung Showcase at Hoochie Coochie, spotlighting the MOBO UnSung Class of 2025 - ten emerging artists embarking on a 9-month artist development programme. 

Workshops will include a songwriting masterclass with Nrthrn Baby and an open-deck DJ session led by World Headquarters and Generator. The Black Music Summit, held on Monday, 17 February at The Glasshouse, will feature talks, panel discussions, and networking opportunities led by industry leaders, artists, and community organisations.

Kanya King CBE, Founder and CEO, MOBO Awards, said: “We’re thrilled to bring the MOBO Awards to Newcastle next month, a city celebrated for its creativity and strong sense of community. Alongside the awards, we’re proud to unveil The Fringe - our inspiring programme developed in close partnership with Newcastle City Council, Generator, Glasshouse, Northern Roots, and Nrthrn Baby.The Fringe is all about celebrating Black music and culture while creating opportunities for young and local talent to shine. Following its huge success in Sheffield last year, we’re eager to build on that momentum. This is a chance to bring people together, spark fresh ideas, and leave a lasting legacy of inspiration. Newcastle, the countdown has begun!”

Councillor Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council said: “I am thrilled that we can now announce details of the MOBO Fringe. I truly believe that our plans will leave a lasting and fitting legacy for the city. Since it was announced that Newcastle would be the host city for the 2025 awards, we have been working with communities and partners to create a meaningful and sustainable fringe programme, to celebrate Black music and culture and provide inspiration and opportunities for young people and other emerging creatives who are interested in all aspects of Black music. I truly believe we have created something special and inclusive, and a platform to further develop the already burgeoning music scene in Newcastle.”

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: “The North East is a hotbed of creativity, and the MOBO Fringe provides an opportunity to unleash the talent of people in our region. Choosing Newcastle to host the MOBO Awards underlines this, and as Mayor, I'm determined to support our culture and creative industries so the North East stands tall on the national and international stage. This is an exciting time for our region, and the MOBO Fringe is a fantastic start to 2025. I know so many people will embrace the Fringe gigs and be part of the unique event.”

Chyaro Hylton, Programme Coordinator at Generator said: “The chance to build a lasting legacy begins with a spotlight, and this is Newcastle’s moment to shine. Hosting the MOBO Awards here for the first time is a testament to the talent and creativity bubbling within the region— talent that deserves to be nurtured and celebrated. Communities rooted in music of Black origin have long enriched Newcastle’s cultural landscape, but with greater visibility and support, they can elevate their remarkable work to create a legacy that inspires for generations to come.”

Newcastle-based artist Rivkala said: “There’s such a vibrant scene and community of musicians working in jazz-rooted genres in the North East, and it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves- so it’s unbelievably exciting to have the MOBO awards coming to the Toon, not just to celebrate the best in the world but also to shine a light on the talent of this city!”

The MOBO Awards have long been a driving force for change, advocating for diversity and inclusion in the music industry and beyond. Through initiatives like The Fringe, The MOBO Organisation continues to champion creativity, amplify underrepresented voices, and provide platforms for emerging talent.

Further details of The Fringe programme will be announced on Friday, January 17. For more information, visit mobo.com/fringe